Minimally invasive prostate enlargement treatment vs. more minimally invasive treatment. GreenLight Laser vs. Rezum.

The GreenLight uses laser energy to vaporize prostate tissue. The obstructing prostate tissue is destroyed or removed at the time of the procedure.

Rezum uses radio frequency generated steam injected into the prostate tissue to bring about changes that will over time shrink the prostate tissue away from the channel men urinate through.

The effect of the GreenLight procedure is for the most part immediate. The effect of the Rezum occurs over time.

The Rezum is “more” minimally invasive because it takes less time to perform, nothing is cut or destroyed and essentially very little risk of bleeding. There is usually 2-4 nine second treatments with Rezum and the steam is injected through a small catheter by way of puncturing the prostate.

So…who should choose which?

You can do the GreenLight with good results on most any obstructive prostate. However is a patient has been in retention (can not urinate…